Media content search based on metadata

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are provided for querying a media server for media content based on user-selected metadata associated with first media while the first media is being experienced by a user. In one embodiment, at least one metadata associated with the first media may be displayed for the user to review while the first media is being experienced by the user. The user may then select a displayed metadata to initiate a search for media content based on the selected metadata. The search for media content may be performed by querying a media server associated with a selection of media content services. The user may then review the results of the media query, select media content from the results, and initiate further action, such as adding the media content to a digital repository, or purchasing the media content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, and is acontinuation of, U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/999,511filed on Aug. 20, 2018, which is a continuation of, U.S. non-provisionalapplication Ser. No. 13/693,540 filed on Dec. 4, 2012, entitled “MediaContent Search Based on Metadata,” which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, tosystems, products, features, services, and other items directed to mediaplayback or some aspect thereof.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of musiccontent, as well as other types of media, such as television content,movies, and interactive content. For example, a user can access audio,video, or both audio and video content over the Internet through anonline store, an Internet radio station, a music service, a movieservice, and so on, in addition to the more traditional avenues ofaccessing audio and video content. Demand for audio, video, and bothaudio and video content inside and outside of the home continues toincrease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologymay be better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an example configuration in which certain embodiments maybe practiced;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and transducers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and connected to external speakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example zone player connected to anA/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example zoneplayer;

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an examplecontroller;

FIG. 6 shows an example ad-hoc playback network;

FIG. 7 shows a system including a plurality of networks including acloud-based network and at least one local playback network; FIG. 9—Example audio system with a list of supported music services includinga “More Music” option.

FIG. 8A shows an example flow diagram for searching media content;

FIG. 8B shows an alternative example flow diagram for searching mediacontent;

FIG. 9A shows an example media system user interface through which amedia content search may be initiated; and

FIG. 9B shows an example media system user interface displaying mediacontent from a media content search.

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating exampleembodiments, but it is understood that the inventions are not limited tothe arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION a. Overview

Embodiments are described herein that allow a user of a networkedplayback system to quickly find media of interest via a controller, andfor example, add the media, or a pointer thereto, to play the media nowor add it to a digital repository. The embodiments are particularlyuseful when a user, while experiencing the media, such as by listeningto the media being rendered via a network playback system, becomesinterested in the particular media and wishes to initiate furtheraction.

In one embodiment, the metadata associated with a first media may bedisplayed to a user via a controller during the playback of the firstmedia. The user may select the metadata to initiate a search for mediabased on the metadata and the corresponding tag. The search for mediamay be performed by querying a media server. Results from the mediaserver may be provided to the controller. The user may then, among otherthings, review the results of the media query via the controller, selectmedia from the results, and initiate further action, such as play themedia now or add the media to a digital repository (a digital library orplayback queue).

In another embodiment, queried media server is associated with a servicethat is different from the service used to provide the first media. Aservice may include a user-controlled local media repository (e.g.,media stored on a local network drive, a computer, a portable device, orsome other device coupled to the local network), a user-controlledremote media repository (e.g., media stored on a server in the cloud),and/or a media content provider such as RHAPSODY™, SPOTIFY™, and others,more of which is described below.

In yet another embodiment, media servers from two or more differentservices are queried for the first media. In this embodiment, one of thetwo services may be the service that is used to render the media.

In yet another embodiment, the search results provide a user with one ormore options. The user may be able to play the media now (a “play now”option) by selecting the media from the search results and/or add themedia to a digital repository.

In one embodiment, a digital repository includes any of a library, aplayback queue, a playlist, a favorites folder, or some other holdingplace of the media and/or pointer to the media. Examples are describedbelow, but for purposes of illustration, the repository may reside inmemory on a device coupled to the local playback network, such as aplayer or a controller or a network drive, or in memory on a device thatis external to the local playback network, such as a remote serverand/or cloud storage.

In one embodiment, media or a pointer thereto (collectively referred toherein as “media” or “media content”) includes a file, a uniformresource identifier, or some other character(s) used to identify themedia content. For instance, a repository may include one or more URLsthat each identifies media, such as a song. The URLs may be specific forthe media and the service. In another instance, a repository may includeone or more media files, or a combination of files and URLs.

In one embodiment, metadata indicates certain aspects of the song, suchas song title, artist name, album title, and/or genre, for example. Inan embodiment, a user may select one of the aspects of the songindicated by the metadata, and a query may be made to search for songsbased on the selected aspect. As described herein, in one example, thequery may be made to search for one or more songs based on the selectedaspect within a service or services.

According to an example, a user may be enjoying a particular songprovided by an Internet Radio service, such as PANDORA™ via a networkedplayback system, such as sold by SONOS™. For instance, the user maybecome interested in the song, curious about other versions of the song,other songs by the same artist, other songs in the same album, and/orother songs in the same genre. Given the radio-like nature of PANDORA atthis time, the service radio broadcasts the media and does not let theuser directly choose the song, set the particular song to repeat, fastforward, or rewind to specific parts of the song. According to anembodiment described herein, the user can add the particular media(where the media is a song in this example) to a repository, such as astreaming music library or playlist (e.g., “My Library” in RHAPSODY™, aSPOTIFY™ library, or some other repository). Alternatively, the user maywish to purchase a copy of the particular song to be stored and accessedlocally.

According to another example, a user may be enjoying a particular songprovided by a streaming music service, such as RHAPSODY™ or SPOTIFY™ andwould like create a station or channel on an Internet Radio servicebased on certain elements of the song. For instance, the user may wantto create a PANDORA™ channel based on a genre of the particular song. Ineither case, the user may access a controller for the playback system tofind other songs associated with elements of the song the user isexperiencing.

Accordingly, the present application provides embodiments for enabling auser to search for media associated with certain media that the user isexperiencing. In particular, the search for media may be performed forany media service available to the user rather than only the mediaservice through which the media content experienced by the user isaccessed.

In one aspect, a method is provided. The method involves while a firstmedia is being rendered, receiving data indicating a selection of anitem corresponding to a metadata associated with the first media, andquerying one or more media servers for one or more second media contentbased on the corresponding metadata. The method further involvesproviding the one or more second media content for display.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes atleast one processor, a non-transitory computer readable medium, andprogram instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readablemedium. The program instructions are executable by the at least oneprocessor to perform functions including while a first media is beingrendered, receiving data indicating a selection of an item correspondingto a metadata associated with the first media, and querying a mediaserver for one or more second media based on the corresponding metadata.The functions further involve providing the one or more second mediacontent for display.

In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon is provided. The instructions are executableby a computing device to cause the computing device to perform functionsincluding while a first media is being rendered, receiving dataindicating a selection of an item corresponding to a metadata associatedwith the first media, and querying a media server for one or more secondcontent based on the corresponding metadata. The functions furtherinvolve providing the one or more second media content for display. Manyother embodiments are provided and described herein.

II. EXAMPLE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to likeparts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example systemconfiguration 100 in which one or more embodiments disclosed herein canbe practiced or implemented.

By way of illustration, the system configuration 100 represents a homewith multiple zones, though the home could have been configured withonly one zone. Each zone, for example, may represent a different room orspace, such as an office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room,family room, home theater room, utility or laundry room, and patio. Asingle zone might also include multiple rooms or spaces if soconfigured. One or more of zone players 102-124 are shown in eachrespective zone. A zone player 102-124, also referred to as a playbackdevice, multimedia unit, speaker, player, and so on, provides audio,video, and/or audiovisual output. A controller 130 (e.g., shown in thekitchen for purposes of illustration) provides control to the systemconfiguration 100. Controller 130 may be fixed to a zone, oralternatively, mobile such that it can be moved about the zones. Thesystem configuration 100 may also include more than one controller 130.The system configuration 100 illustrates an example whole house audiosystem, though it is understood that the technology described herein isnot limited to its particular place of application or to an expansivesystem like a whole house audio system 100 of FIG. 1 .

a. Example Zone Players

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example types of zone players. Zone players200, 202, and 204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, can correspondto any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1 , for example. In someembodiments, audio is reproduced using only a single zone player, suchas by a full-range player. In some embodiments, audio is reproducedusing two or more zone players, such as by using a combination offull-range players or a combination of full-range and specializedplayers. In some embodiments, zone players 200-204 may also be referredto as a “smart speaker,” because they contain processing capabilitiesbeyond the reproduction of audio, more of which is described below.

FIG. 2A illustrates zone player 200 that includes sound producingequipment 208 capable of reproducing full-range sound. The sound maycome from an audio signal that is received and processed by zone player200 over a wired or wireless data network. Sound producing equipment 208includes one or more built-in amplifiers and one or more acoustictransducers (e.g., speakers). A built-in amplifier is described morebelow with respect to FIG. 4 . A speaker or acoustic transducer caninclude, for example, any of a tweeter, a mid-range driver, a low-rangedriver, and a subwoofer. In some embodiments, zone player 200 can bestatically or dynamically configured to play stereophonic audio,monaural audio, or both. In some embodiments, zone player 200 isconfigured to reproduce a subset of full-range sound, such as when zoneplayer 200 is grouped with other zone players to play stereophonicaudio, monaural audio, and/or surround audio or when the audio contentreceived by zone player 200 is less than full-range.

FIG. 2B illustrates zone player 202 that includes a built-in amplifierto power a set of detached speakers 210. A detached speaker can include,for example, any type of loudspeaker. Zone player 202 may be configuredto power one, two, or more separate loudspeakers. Zone player 202 may beconfigured to communicate an audio signal (e.g., right and left channelaudio or more channels depending on its configuration) to the detachedspeakers 210 via a wired path.

FIG. 2C illustrates zone player 204 that does not include a built-inamplifier, but is configured to communicate an audio signal, receivedover a data network, to an audio (or “audio/video”) receiver 214 withbuilt-in amplification.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, one, some, or all of thezone players 102 to 124 can retrieve audio directly from a source. Forexample, a zone player may contain a playlist or queue of audio items tobe played (also referred to herein as a “playback queue”). Each item inthe queue may comprise a uniform resource identifier (URI) or some otheridentifier. The URI or identifier can point the zone player to the audiosource. The source might be found on the Internet (e.g., the cloud),locally from another device over data network 128 (described furtherbelow), from the controller 130, stored on the zone player itself, orfrom an audio source communicating directly to the zone player. In someembodiments, the zone player can reproduce the audio itself, send it toanother zone player for reproduction, or both where the audio is playedby the zone player and one or more additional zone players in synchrony.In some embodiments, the zone player can play a first audio content (ornot play at all), while sending a second, different audio content toanother zone player(s) for reproduction.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. presentlyoffers for sale zone players referred to as a “PLAY:5,” “PLAY:3,”“CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Any other past, present, and/orfuture zone players can additionally or alternatively be used toimplement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein.Additionally, it is understood that a zone player is not limited to theparticular examples illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C or to the SONOSproduct offerings. For example, a zone player may include a wired orwireless headphone. In yet another example, a zone player might includea sound bar for television. In yet another example, a zone player caninclude or interact with a docking station for an Apple IPOD′ or similardevice.

b. Example Controllers

FIG. 3 illustrates an example wireless controller 300 in docking station302. By way of illustration, controller 300 may correspond tocontrolling device 130 of FIG. 1 . Docking station 302, if provided, maybe used to charge a battery of controller 300. In some embodiments,controller 300 may be provided with a touch screen 304 that allows auser to interact through touch with the controller 300, for example, toretrieve and navigate a playlist of audio items, control operations ofone or more zone players, and provide overall control of the systemconfiguration 100. In certain embodiments, any number of controllers canbe used to control the system configuration 100. In some embodiments,there may be a limit set on the number of controllers that can controlthe system configuration 100. The controllers might be wireless likewireless controller 300 or wired to data network 128.

In some embodiments, if more than one controller is used in system 100,each controller may be coordinated to display common content, and mayall be dynamically updated to indicate changes made from a singlecontroller. Coordination can occur, for instance, by a controllerperiodically requesting a state variable directly or indirectly from oneor more zone players; the state variable may provide information aboutsystem 100, such as current zone group configuration, what is playing inone or more zones, volume levels, and other items of interest. The statevariable may be passed around on data network 128 between zone players(and controllers, if so desired) as needed or as often as programmed.

In addition, an application running on any network-enabled portabledevice, such as an IPHONE™ IPAD™ ANDROID™ powered phone, or any othersmart phone or network-enabled device can be used as controller 130. Anapplication running on a laptop or desktop personal computer (PC) orMac™ can also be used as controller 130. Such controllers may connect tosystem 100 through an interface with data network 128, a zone player, awireless router, or using some other configured connection path. Examplecontrollers offered by Sonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. include a“Controller 200,” “SONOS® CONTROL,” “SONOS® Controller for IPHONE™,”“SONOS® Controller for IPAD™,” “SONOS® Controller for ANDROID™,” “SONOS®Controller for MAC™ or PC.” c. Example Data Connection

Zone players 102 to 124 of FIG. 1 are coupled directly or indirectly toa data network, such as data network 128. Controller 130 may also becoupled directly or indirectly to data network 128 or individual zoneplayers. Data network 128 is represented by an octagon in the figure tostand out from other representative components. While data network 128is shown in a single location, it is understood that such a network isdistributed in and around system 100. Particularly, data network 128 canbe a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of both wiredand wireless networks. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 based on aproprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 using anon-mesh topology. In some embodiments, one or more of the zone players102-124 are coupled via a wire to data network 128 using Ethernet orsimilar technology. In addition to the one or more zone players 102-124connecting to data network 128, data network 128 can further allowaccess to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, connecting any of the zone players 102-124, or someother connecting device, to a broadband router, can create data network128. Other zone players 102-124 can then be added wired or wirelessly tothe data network 128. For example, a zone player (e.g., any of zoneplayers 102-124) can be added to the system configuration 100 by simplypressing a button on the zone player itself (or perform some otheraction), which enables a connection to be made to data network 128. Thebroadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),for example. The broadband router can be used to form another datanetwork within the system configuration 100, which can be used in otherapplications (e.g., web surfing). Data network 128 can also be used inother applications, if so programmed. An example, second network mayimplement SONOSNET™ protocol, developed by SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara.SONOSNET™ represents a secure, AES-encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless meshnetwork. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the data network 128 isthe same network, such as a traditional wired or wireless network, usedfor other applications in the household.

d. Example Zone Configurations

A particular zone can contain one or more zone players. For example, thefamily room of FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while thekitchen is shown with one zone player 102. In another example, the hometheater room contains additional zone players to play audio from a 5.1channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movie encoded with 5.1 orgreater audio channels). In some embodiments, one can position a zoneplayer in a room or space and assign the zone player to a new orexisting zone via controller 130. As such, zones may be created,combined with another zone, removed, and given a specific name (e.g.,“Kitchen”), if so desired and programmed to do so with controller 130.Moreover, in some embodiments, zone configurations may be dynamicallychanged even after being configured using controller 130 or some othermechanism.

In some embodiments, if a zone contains two or more zone players, suchas the two zone players 106 and 108 in the family room, then the twozone players 106 and 108 can be configured to play the same audio sourcein synchrony, or the two zone players 106 and 108 can be paired to playtwo separate sounds in left and right channels, for example. In otherwords, the stereo effects of a sound can be reproduced or enhancedthrough the two zone players 106 and 108, one for the left sound and theother for the right sound. In certain embodiments, paired zone players(also referred to as “bonded zone players”) can play audio in synchronywith other zone players in the same or different zones.

In some embodiments, two or more zone players can be sonicallyconsolidated to form a single, consolidated zone player. A consolidatedzone player (though made up of multiple, separate devices) can beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated zone player or zone players that are paired, because aconsolidated zone player will have additional speaker drivers from whichsound can be passed. The consolidated zone player can further be pairedwith a single zone player or yet another consolidated zone player. Eachplayback device of a consolidated playback device can be set in aconsolidated mode, for example.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group,consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desiredconfiguration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, andpairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such asusing controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connectingspeaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to createdifferent configurations. As such, certain embodiments described hereinprovide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which soundreproduction can be offered to the end-user.

e. Example Audio Sources

In some embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source asanother zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. Forexample, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazzmusic via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in thekitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further,someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zoneplayer 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In someembodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 isplayed in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows forsomeone to pass through zones while seamlessly (or substantiallyseamlessly) listening to the audio. Further, zones can be put into a“party mode” such that all associated zones will play audio insynchrony.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 arenumerous. In some embodiments, music on a zone player itself may beaccessed and a played. In some embodiments, music from a personallibrary stored on a computer or networked-attached storage (NAS) may beaccessed via the data network 128 and played. In some embodiments,Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts can be accessed via thedata network 128. Music or cloud services that let a user stream and/ordownload music and audio content can be accessed via the data network128. Further, music can be obtained from traditional sources, such as aturntable or CD player, via a line-in connection to a zone player, forexample. Audio content can also be accessed using a different protocol,such as AIRPLAY™, which is a wireless technology by Apple, Inc., forexample. Audio content received from one or more sources can be sharedamongst the zone players 102 to 124 via data network 128 and/orcontroller 130. The above-disclosed sources of audio content arereferred to herein as network-based audio information sources. However,network-based audio information sources are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120are coupled to an audio information source such as a television 132. Insome examples, the television 132 is used as a source of audio for thehome theater zone players 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audioinformation from the television 132 can be shared with any of the zoneplayers 102-124 in the audio system 100.

III. EXAMPLE ZONE PLAYERS

Referring now to FIG. 4 , there is shown an example block diagram of azone player 400 in accordance with an embodiment. Zone player 400includes a network interface 402, a processor 408, a memory 410, anaudio processing component 412, one or more modules 414, an audioamplifier 416, and a speaker unit 418 coupled to the audio amplifier416. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Othertypes of zone players may not include the speaker unit 418 (e.g., suchas shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 416 (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 400 can beintegrated into another component. For example, the zone player 400could be constructed as part of a television, lighting, or some otherdevice for indoor or outdoor use.

In some embodiments, network interface 402 facilitates a data flowbetween zone player 400 and other devices on a data network 128. In someembodiments, in addition to getting audio from another zone player ordevice on data network 128, zone player 400 may access audio directlyfrom the audio source, such as over a wide area network or on the localnetwork. In some embodiments, the network interface 402 can furtherhandle the address part of each packet so that it gets to the rightdestination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player 400.Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includes anInternet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-baseddestination address.

In some embodiments, network interface 402 can include one or both of awireless interface 404 and a wired interface 406. The wireless interface404, also referred to as a radio frequency (RF) interface, providesnetwork interface functions for the zone player 400 to wirelesslycommunicate with other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s),receiver(s), component(s) associated with the data network 128, and soon) in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any wirelessstandard including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15).Wireless interface 404 may include one or more radios. To receivewireless signals and to provide the wireless signals to the wirelessinterface 404 and to transmit wireless signals, the zone player 400includes one or more antennas 420. The wired interface 406 providesnetwork interface functions for the zone player 400 to communicate overa wire with other devices in accordance with a communication protocol(e.g., IEEE 802.3). In some embodiments, a zone player includes multiplewireless 404 interfaces. In some embodiments, a zone player includesmultiple wired 406 interfaces. In some embodiments, a zone playerincludes both of the interfaces 404 and 406. In some embodiments, a zoneplayer 400 includes only the wireless interface 404 or the wiredinterface 406.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 is a clock-driven electronicdevice that is configured to process input data according toinstructions stored in memory 410. The memory 410 is data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more software module(s) 414, which can beexecuted by the processor 408 to achieve certain tasks. In theillustrated embodiment, the memory 410 is a tangible machine-readablemedium storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 408.In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to retrieveaudio data from another zone player or a device on a network (e.g.,using a uniform resource locator (URL) or some other identifier). Insome embodiments, a task may be for the zone player 400 to send audiodata to another zone player or device on a network. In some embodiments,a task may be for the zone player 400 to synchronize playback of audiowith one or more additional zone players. In some embodiments, a taskmay be to pair the zone player 400 with one or more zone players tocreate a multi-channel audio environment. Additional or alternativetasks can be achieved via the one or more software module(s) 414 and theprocessor 408.

The audio processing component 412 can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. Insome embodiments, the audio processing component 412 may be part ofprocessor 408. In some embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via thenetwork interface 402 is processed and/or intentionally altered by theaudio processing component 412. Further, the audio processing component412 can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signalsare then provided to the audio amplifier 416 for play back throughspeakers 418. In addition, the audio processing component 412 caninclude circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs to playfrom zone player 400, send to another zone player on a network, or bothplay and send to another zone player on the network. An example inputincludes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mm audioline-in connection).

The audio amplifier 416 is a device(s) that amplifies audio signals to alevel for driving one or more speakers 418. The one or more speakers 418can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a completespeaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers.A particular driver can be a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), amid-range driver (e.g., for middle frequencies), and a tweeter (e.g.,for high frequencies), for example. An enclosure can be sealed orported, for example. Each transducer may be driven by its own individualamplifier.

A commercial example, presently known as the PLAY:5™, is a zone playerwith a built-in amplifier and speakers that is capable of retrievingaudio directly from the source, such as on the Internet or on the localnetwork, for example. In particular, the PLAY:5™ is a five-amp,five-driver speaker system that includes two tweeters, two mid-rangedrivers, and one woofer. When playing audio content via the PLAY:5, theleft audio data of a track is sent out of the left tweeter and leftmid-range driver, the right audio data of a track is sent out of theright tweeter and the right mid-range driver, and mono bass is sent outof the subwoofer. Further, both mid-range drivers and both tweeters havethe same equalization (or substantially the same equalization). That is,they are both sent the same frequencies but from different channels ofaudio. Audio from Internet radio stations, online music and videoservices, downloaded music, analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and soon, can be played from the PLAY:5™.

IV. EXAMPLE CONTROLLER

Referring now to FIG. 5 , there is shown an example block diagram forcontroller 500, which can correspond to the controlling device 130 inFIG. 1 . Controller 500 can be used to facilitate the control ofmulti-media applications, automation and others in a system. Inparticular, the controller 500 may be configured to facilitate aselection of a plurality of audio sources available on the network andenable control of one or more zone players (e.g., the zone players102-124 in FIG. 1 ) through a wireless or wired network interface 508.According to one embodiment, the wireless communications is based on anindustry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wireless standards includingIEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.15, and so on). Further,when a particular audio is being accessed via the controller 500 orbeing played via a zone player, a picture (e.g., album art) or any otherdata, associated with the audio and/or audio source can be transmittedfrom a zone player or other electronic device to controller 500 fordisplay.

Controller 500 is provided with a screen 502 and an input interface 514that allows a user to interact with the controller 500, for example, tonavigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to control operationsof one or more zone players. The screen 502 on the controller 500 can bean LCD screen, for example. The screen 500 communicates with and iscommanded by a screen driver 504 that is controlled by a microcontroller(e.g., a processor) 506. The memory 510 can be loaded with one or moreapplication modules 512 that can be executed by the microcontroller 506with or without a user input via the user interface 514 to achievecertain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module 512 isconfigured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zone players intoa zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audio play back. Insome embodiments, an application module 512 is configured to control theaudio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zone group. Inoperation, when the microcontroller 506 executes one or more of theapplication modules 512, the screen driver 504 generates control signalsto drive the screen 502 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly.

The controller 500 includes a network interface 508 that facilitateswired or wireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments,the commands such as volume control and audio playback synchronizationare sent via the network interface 508. In some embodiments, a savedzone group configuration is transmitted between a zone player and acontroller via the network interface 508. The controller 500 can controlone or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1 . There can be morethan one controller for a particular system, and each controller mayshare common information with another controller, or retrieve the commoninformation from a zone player, if such a zone player storesconfiguration data (e.g., such as a state variable). Further, acontroller can be integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as an IPHONE™IPAD™ or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g., anetworked computer such as a PC or MAC™) can also be used as acontroller to interact or control zone players in a particularenvironment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade canbe downloaded onto a network-enabled device to perform the functionsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group (also referred toas a bonded zone) including at least two zone players from thecontroller 500. The zone players in the zone group can play audio in asynchronized fashion, such that all of the zone players in the zonegroup play back an identical audio source or a list of identical audiosources in a synchronized manner such that no (or substantially no)audible delays or hiccups are to be heard. Similarly, in someembodiments, when a user increases the audio volume of the group fromthe controller 500, the signals or data of increasing the audio volumefor the group are sent to one of the zone players and causes other zoneplayers in the group to be increased together in volume.

A user via the controller 500 can group zone players into a zone groupby activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping azone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. Forexample, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audioplay back is to link a number of zone players together to form a group.To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link eachzone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that thereis a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom,Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zoneplayers, for example, by starting with a single zone and then manuallylinking each zone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linkedtogether using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent tofirst creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scenecommand can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in oneaction. Without this single command, the user would manually andindividually link each zone. The single command may include a mouseclick, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some otherprogrammed action. Other kinds of zone scenes can be programmed.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time(e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be setto apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zonesautomatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music aftera defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an“On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables anyzone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., afavorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for aspecific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to beplayed (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failedUniversal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an InternetRadio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound.The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, forexample.

V. EXAMPLE AD-HOC NETWORK

Certain particular examples are now provided in connection with FIG. 6to describe, for purposes of illustration, certain systems and methodsto provide and facilitate connection to a playback network. FIG. 6 showsthat there are three zone players 602, 604 and 606 and a controller 608that form a network branch that is also referred to as an Ad-Hoc network610. The network 610 may be wireless, wired, or a combination of wiredand wireless. In general, an Ad-Hoc (or “spontaneous”) network is alocal area network or other small network in which there is generally noone access point for all traffic. With an established Ad-Hoc network610, the devices 602, 604, 606 and 608 can all communicate with eachother in a “peer-to-peer” style of communication, for example.Furthermore, devices may join and/or leave from the network 610, and thenetwork 610 will automatically reconfigure itself without needing theuser to reconfigure the network 610. While an Ad-Hoc network isreferenced in FIG. 6 , it is understood that a playback network may bebased on a type of network that is completely or partially differentfrom an Ad-Hoc network.

Using the Ad-Hoc network 610, the devices 602, 604, 606, and 608 canshare or exchange one or more audio sources and be dynamically groupedto play the same or different audio sources. For example, the devices602 and 604 are grouped to playback one piece of music, and at the sametime, the device 606 plays back another piece of music. In other words,the devices 602, 604, 606 and 608, as shown in FIG. 6 , form a HOUSEHOLDthat distributes audio and/or reproduces sound. As used herein, the termHOUSEHOLD (provided in uppercase letters to disambiguate from the user'sdomicile) is used to represent a collection of networked devices thatare cooperating to provide an application or service. An instance of aHOUSEHOLD is identified with a household 610 (or household identifier),though a HOUSEHOLD may be identified with a different area or place.

In certain embodiments, a household identifier (HHID) is a short stringor an identifier that is computer-generated to help ensure that it isunique. Accordingly, the network 610 can be characterized by a uniqueHHID and a unique set of configuration variables or parameters, such aschannels (e.g., respective frequency bands), service set identifier(SSID) (a sequence of alphanumeric characters as a name of a wirelessnetwork), and WEP keys (wired equivalent privacy or other securitykeys). In certain embodiments, SSID is set to be the same as HHID.

In certain embodiments, each HOUSEHOLD includes two types of networknodes: a control point (CP) and a zone player (ZP). The control pointcontrols an overall network setup process and sequencing, including anautomatic generation of required network parameters (e.g., WEP keys). Inan embodiment, the CP also provides the user with a HOUSEHOLDconfiguration user interface. The CP function can be provided by acomputer running a CP application module, or by a handheld controller(e.g., the controller 308) also running a CP application module, forexample. The zone player is any other device on the network that isplaced to participate in the automatic configuration process. The ZP, asa notation used herein, includes the controller 308 or a computingdevice, for example. In some embodiments, the functionality, or certainparts of the functionality, in both the CP and the ZP are combined at asingle node (e.g., a ZP contains a CP or vice-versa).

In certain embodiments, configuration of a HOUSEHOLD involves multipleCPs and ZPs that rendezvous and establish a known configuration suchthat they can use a standard networking protocol (e.g., IP over Wired orWireless Ethernet) for communication. In an embodiment, two types ofnetworks/protocols are employed: Ethernet 802.3 and Wireless 802.11g.Interconnections between a CP and a ZP can use either of thenetworks/protocols. A device in the system as a member of a HOUSEHOLDcan connect to both networks simultaneously.

In an environment that has both networks in use, it is assumed that atleast one device in a system is connected to both as a bridging device,thus providing bridging services between wired/wireless networks forothers. The zone player 606 in FIG. 6 is shown to be connected to bothnetworks, for example. The connectivity to the network 612 is based onEthernet and/or Wireless, while the connectivity to other devices 602,604 and 608 is based on Wireless and Ethernet if so desired.

It is understood, however, that in some embodiments each zone player606, 604, 602 may access the Internet when retrieving media from thecloud (e.g., the Internet) via the bridging device. For example, zoneplayer 602 may contain a uniform resource locator (URL) that specifiesan address to a particular audio track in the cloud. Using the URL, thezone player 602 may retrieve the audio track from the cloud, andultimately play the audio out of one or more zone players.

VI. EXAMPLE SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

FIG. 7 shows a system including a plurality of networks including acloud-based network and at least one local playback network. A localplayback network includes a plurality of playback devices or players,though it is understood that the playback network may contain only oneplayback device. In certain embodiments, each player has an ability toretrieve its content for playback. Control and content retrieval can bedistributed or centralized, for example. Input can include streamingcontent provider input, third party application input, mobile deviceinput, user input, and/or other playback network input into the cloudfor local distribution and playback.

As illustrated by the example system 700 of FIG. 7 , a plurality ofcontent providers 720-750 can be connected to one or more local playbacknetworks 760-770 via a cloud and/or other network 710. Using the cloud710, a multimedia audio system 720 (e.g., Sonos™), a mobile device 730,a third party application 740, a content provider 750 and so on canprovide multimedia content (requested or otherwise) to local playbacknetworks 760, 770. Within each local playback network 760, 770, acontroller 762, 772 and a playback device 764, 774 can be used toplayback audio content.

VII. EXAMPLE MEDIA SEARCH

As mentioned above, embodiments for allowing a user to quickly searchfor media associated with media the user is experiencing are providedherein.

In one embodiment, a controller displays metadata of the media, such assong title, artist name, album title, or genre, to a user, andsubsequent to receiving a selection of the item, a search is initiatedbased on the metadata and its corresponding tag. For example, acontroller might display “Track: Promises in the Dark.” A user canquickly and directly select “Promises in the Dark” via the controllerdisplay, which triggers a search based on (1) the tag: “Track” and (2)“Promises in the Dark.” As such, in one instance, the search may resultin one or more tracks that contain “Promises in the Dark.”

In another embodiment, a different service is searched subsequent toselection of metadata for media than the service used to render themedia. For example, a user might be listening to Pandora™ via anetworked playback system and a controller to the system might displaythe current track. Using the “Promises in the Dark” example above,assume that the song from the “Greatest Hits” album was being streamedfrom Pandora to a networked playback system. If so desired, the user caninitiate a search on the user's Rhapsody™ service based on the selectionof the metadata associated with the media. If the song title wasselected for the search, then the system would query Rhapsody for tracksthat include “Promises in the Dark” (or some variation of the phrasepromises in the dark, if so programmed). The results might include othersongs by Pat Benatar including “Promises in the Dark” on severaldifferent albums.

In yet another embodiment, two or more services are searched for media.In this embodiment, it is possible that one of the services be theservice that is used to render the media. For example, a user might belistening to a Rhapsody channel via a networked playback system and acontroller to the system might display the current track. If so desired,the user can initiate a search on Rhapsody in addition to search anotherservice. For example, the system may also query the user's local libraryfor an appropriate match.

In yet another embodiment, the search results displayed on thecontroller, for instance, provide the user with one (or more) options.For example, the user may be able to play the media now (a “play now”option) by selecting the media from the search results, add the media toa queue or playlist, or add the media to a digital repository. By way ofillustration, a user may see a track of interest in the search resultsand select it to “play now” via a networked playback system. As such,the networked playback system would stop/pause playing the current mediaand switch to play the recently selected media from the associatedservice. In some embodiments, the networked playback system may returnthe previous media/service upon completion of the rendering of theselected media.

FIG. 8A shows an example flow diagram of a method 800 for searchingmedia content, in accordance with at least some embodiments describedherein. Method 800 shown in FIG. 8A presents an embodiment of a methodthat could be used in the environment 100 with the systems 200, 202,204, 300, 400, and 500 for example, in communication with a device, suchas devices illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 . Method 800 may include one or moreoperations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more ofblocks 802-808. Although the blocks are illustrated in sequential order,these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a differentorder than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may becombined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/orremoved based upon the desired implementation.

In addition, for the method 800 and other processes and methodsdisclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and operation of onepossible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, eachblock may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code,which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor forimplementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Theprogram code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, forexample, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. Thecomputer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readablemedium, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores datafor short periods of time like register memory, processor cache andRandom Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may alsoinclude non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long termstorage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks,compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computerreadable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storagesystems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computerreadable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device. Inaddition, for the method 900 and other processes and methods disclosedherein, each block in FIG. 8A may represent circuitry that is wired toperform the specific logical functions in the process.

At block 802, the method 800 may involve providing for display at leastone metadata associated with a rendering first media content. In oneexample, during rendering of the first media content on a zone player ornetwork of zone players as discussed above, the at least one metadatamay be provided on a display of the controller, such as the controller300 or 500 described above. In a case where the media content is a song,the metadata may be indicative of one or more of an artist name, a tracktitle, an album name, a genre of the song, and a year when the song wasreleased, and a portion of the metadata may be provided on a display ofthe controller for the user to review while the song is being played.FIG. 9A shows an example media system user interface 900 while the firstmedia content is being rendered. As shown, the user interface 900displays metadata 902 associated with the first media content. In thisillustrative example, the song title, listed under Track is “Doing ItWrong,” and the artist name, listed under Artist is “Drake.”

In one example, the metadata may be provided when the first mediacontent is accessed. For instance, when the first media content isaccessed through a media content service, the metadata may be retrievedalong with retrieval of the first media content being rendered. Inanother instance, the first media content may be a local file on thecontroller device used by the user to experience media content, forexample. In this instance, the metadata may also be stored locally andprovided when the first media content is being rendered.

In another example, metadata associated with the first media content maynot be readily available and/or not provided with the first mediacontent. For instance, if the first media content is stored locally, andthe associated metadata may not have been properly stored or enteredwhen the first media content was stored, then the metadata may beprovided at a subsequent time and/or from a different device or service.

In another instance, metadata associated with the first media contentmay not be readily available because the first media content may bespecific content within an automated streaming audio content. Automatedstreaming audio content may refer to audio content that may be playedindefinitely, with a series of specific content determined by astreaming media content service. For instance, a media content service,such as PANDORA™, may allow the user to select a “channel” based ongenre or artist, for example, and accordingly the service determinesindividual tracks (specific content) to be played, based on the selectedchannel. In another example, a media content service such as NPR orother traditional, live radio station-based media content services, mayallow the user to select the radio station to be rendered, and thestreaming service may simply provide a stream of the live content of theradio station (as available over traditional radio frequencies). In sucha case, metadata for the specific content may not be available becausemetadata provided and displayed on the display may be associated withthe “channel” or specific radio station providing the automatedstreaming audio content, rather than associated with the specificcontent being rendered and enjoyed by the user.

In the case when the metadata for the first media content is notavailable, the metadata may be separately retrieved. In one example, themetadata for the first media content may be retrieved by providingcharacterization data associated with at least a portion of the firstmedia content to a processing server for analysis. For instance, aservice such as SHAZAM® may be utilized to retrieve characterizationdata associated with a portion of the first media content, analyze thecharacterization data, and provide metadata associated with the firstmedia content determined from analysis of the characterization data.Accordingly, the metadata may be received from the processing server andprovided on the display of the controller for the user to review.

At block 804, the method 800 may involve receiving data indicating aselection of the at least one metadata that is displayed. As mentionedpreviously, the data may be received while the first media content isbeing rendered, and being enjoyed by the user. In one example, the usermay wish to search for other media content associated with the selectedone metadata. In one case, the controller displaying the metadataassociated with the first media content may have a touchscreen userinterface. In this case, the user may select the metadata associatedwith the media content by tapping the displayed metadata on the display.Referring back to FIG. 9A showing the user interface 900, a selection904 may represent a touch selection of the song title metadata providedon the display. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the selection 904 mayindicate that the user is interested in searching for other mediacontent having the same title as, or a title similar to “Doing ItWrong.”

At block 806, the method 800 may involve querying a network media serverfor second media content based on the selected metadata. In one example,the network media server may be a part of a collection of one or moremedia content servers being queried to which the user has access. Inanother example, the collection of one or more media content serversbeing queried may include media content servers to which the user doesnot have access, such as media content servers associated with mediacontent services that the user may not be registered. The media contentservers may include remote servers as well as local servers or datastorage medium.

Continuing with the example above, the collection of media contentservers may be queried for second media content having titles similar orthe same as “Doing It Wrong.” In one case, the second media contentbeing queried for may be any type of media content, and not restrictedto the same media content type as the first media content. For instance,“Doing It Wrong” in this example may be a song in the form of an audiocontent. As such, querying the network of media content servers forsecond media content may involve querying the network of media contentservers for audio content having titles similar to or the same as “DoingIt Wrong” as well as other types of media content, such as video contenthaving titles similar to or the same as “Doing It Wrong.”

In one example, each media content service in a plurality of mediacontent services may be associated with one or more media contentservers in the network of media content servers. The collection of mediacontent servers may include media content servers that the user hasaccess to as well as media content servers that the user may not haveaccess to. In one case, the media content servers that the user hasaccess to may be servers associated with media content services that theuser is registered with, and the media content servers the user may nothave access to may be associated with media content services that theuser may not have registered with yet. In addition, the network of mediacontent servers may include a local server or hard disk drive (on thecontroller and/or a zone player) on which the user may store mediacontent. Examples of media content services, as suggested previously,may include Spotify™ Rhapsody™, and PANDORA™, for example. As alsosuggested previously, the media content servers may include a localservers or data storage medium to which the user has access to.

In one example, each of the one or more media content servers in acollection or network of media content servers may be queried. Inanother example, a subset of the media content servers may be queried,if more than one server exists. FIG. 8B shows an example flow diagram ofa method 850 for searching for media. As shown, the method 850 may be analternative method to the method 800 shown in FIG. 8A, and may includeblocks 802-808 from method 800. In method 850, however, block 806 mayfurther include blocks 812-816 for querying a network of one or moremedia content servers for second media content.

At block 812, the method 850 may involve receiving service selectiondata indicating a selection of one or more media content services. Inone example, the service selection data may be received from the user.In this example, a list of the plurality of media content services maybe displayed for the user to review. In one case, the list of theplurality of media content services may include each media contentservice the user has access to. In another case, the list of theplurality of media content services may include all media contentservices available, whether or not the user may have access. In responseto the list of the plurality of media content services being displayed,the user experiencing the rendering of the first media content may thenprovide service selection data indicating a selection of one or moremedia content services to query for the second media content.

In another example, the service selection data may be of a default orpredetermined value. For instance, if the user had previously initiateda query as currently described, and had previously provided serviceselection data, the previously provided service selection data may bestored on the controller accessed by the user, on a zone player, orboth. The stored service selection data may then be used as an initialselection of media content services for the present query. In thisinstance, the selection may be modified by the user for the presentsearch, or left as-is.

In another instance, the service selection data may be automaticallydetermined according to various factors. In one case, the media contentservice that was most recently used (for rendering media content, asopposed to media content service queried in most recent search,discussed above) may be selected. As such, the media content serviceselected may be the same media content service providing the first mediacontent in this case. In another case, the most reliable media contentservice may be selected. In this case, reliability of a media contentservice in the network of media content services may be determinedlocally by the controller and/or playback system by monitoring playbackdropouts during previous use of the media content service by the localplayback system. Alternatively, reliability of a media content servicemay be determined remotely by a server monitoring playback dropoutsduring previous use of the media content service by any playback systemfor which playback dropout information may be available.

In some cases, more than one media content service may be selected andqueried for the second media content. In one case, a selection of thetwo most reliable media content services may be selected. In anothercase, the user may select three media content services the user favors.In yet another case, the user may select an additional media contentservice favored by the user in addition to a most reliable media contentservice determined by the playback system or server. The selection mayalso be based on fees or costs associated with a particular service.

At block 814, the method 850 may involve identifying media contentservers in the network of media content servers associated with theselection of one or more media content services. As mentioned above,each media content service may be associated with at least one mediacontent server. As such, once the selection of media content serviceshas been determined, the corresponding media content servers may beidentified, and at block 816, method 850 may involve querying theidentified media content servers for the one or more second mediacontent based on the corresponding metadata.

In one case, if the query does not return any second media content, thesystem may save the query information on the controller, playbacksystem, or both, for a future query. The query information may includeat least the metadata selected, and the selection of media contentservices for the query. In one instance, the user may be prompted by thecontroller, or by the playback system via the controller, to provide analternative metadata or alternative selection of media content servicesfor a subsequent query.

In another case, if at least one second media content is returned, themethod 850 may proceed to block 808, which as shown in FIG. 8A, mayinvolve providing the one or more second media content for display. Assuggested above, the one or more second media content display mayinclude music tracks, music albums, radio stations, or video contentcorresponding to the selected metadata associated with the first mediacontent. Additionally, the user may select which of the displayed itemsto include in a digital repository for further action.

In one example, providing the one or more second media content fordisplay may further involve ordering the one or more second mediacontent according to a relevancy metric. The relevancy metric mayindicate an estimated level of interest in each of the one or moresecond media content by the user experiencing the rendering of the firstmedia content.

In some cases, the relevancy metric may indicate an estimated level ofinterest in the returned second media content based on the media contentservice associated with the second media content. In one case, therelevancy metric may indicate that a most recently used media contentservice among the selection of media content services for the query isof the most interest to the user, and may therefore list second mediacontent associated with the most recently used media content servicefirst. In another case, the relevancy metric may indicate that a mostreliable media content service among the selection of media contentservices for the query is of most interest to the user, and maytherefore list second media content associated with the most reliablemedia content service first.

In other cases, the relevancy metric may indicate an estimated level ofinterest in the returned second media content based on characteristicsof the second media content. For instance, second media content havingthe closest match in the query based on the selected metadata may belisted first. In another instance, second media content having thehighest bit-rate and/or highest quality may be listed first. In afurther instance, second media content that is the most popular (playedback the most number of times) may be listed first.

Whichever the case, the one or more second media content may be orderedaccording to the relevancy metric and accordingly provided for displayon the controller for the user to review. FIG. 9B shows an example mediasystem user interface 950 displaying media content from a media contentsearch. As shown, results 952 for a query based on song title metadata“Doing It Wrong” 954 are provided as a result of the selection of thesong title being selected (shown in FIG. 9A). Also shown in FIG. 9B is amedia content service icon 954 indicating the media content service theresults 952 are associated with, and a input interface 958 via which theuser may modify the search criteria.

In this illustrative example, second media content associated withSpotify™ may be shown. In this case, the user may select another mediacontent service, such as Rhapsody™, to see second media contentassociated with Rhapsody™. In the case the user interface is atouchscreen interface, a list of media content services for which secondmedia content query results are available may be provided when the usertaps on the media content service icon 954. The user may then selectanother media content service from the list to review second mediacontent associated with the selected, other media content service.

In one example, the user may be provided with a list of all mediacontent services available when tapping the media content service icon954. In this case, if the selected media content service was notpreviously included in the query for second media content, a subsequentsearch for second media content with the selected media content servicemay be initiated.

After reviewing the query results, the user may select a second mediacontent from the displayed results and initiate further action. Forinstance, if the query is initiated when the user is enjoying aparticular song provided through PANDORA™, the user may choose to addthe particular song to a streaming music library or playlist (e.g., “MyLibrary” in Rhapsody™ or a Spotify™ library). Once the media is includedin the repository, such as the streaming music library or playlist, forexample, the user may access the media at a later time. Alternatively,the user may wish to purchase a copy of the particular song to be storedand accessed locally. Media content services from which the user maypurchase the particular song may include iTunes™ or Amazon™. In anotherinstance, if the query was initiated while the user may be enjoying aparticular song provided by a streaming music service, such as Rhapsody™or a Spotify™, the user may choose to create a PANDORA™ channel based ona genre of the particular song.

In another case, the second media content selected by the user may beassociated with a media content service the user may not be registeredwith. In this case, the user may be prompted to sign-in or register withthe media content service in order to access the selected second mediacontent.

In other embodiments, the query for second media content may not bebased strictly on metadata displayed for the user to review or evenmetadata associated with the first media content. As discussed above, aservice such as SHAZAM® may be used to retrieve metadata for the firstmedia content. In one example, SHAZAM® may also be utilized to identifyspecific melodies or chord progressions within a song, and subsequentlyuse the identified melodies or chord progressions to search for othersongs having similar melodies or chord progressions. In one case, theuser may select a portion of a song being rendered by selecting asegment on a playback progression bar on the user interfacecorresponding to the portion of the song, and initiate a search forother song shaving similar melodies or chord progressions as theselected portion.

In other embodiments, the query for second media content may bepostponed and executed at a later time. This may be the case so as notto disrupt the current experience of the first media content by theuser. As such, the user may choose to flag metadata associated with thefirst media content being rendered and provided on the user interface,and initiate the actual query for second media content at a later time.

VIII. CONCLUSION

The descriptions above disclose various example systems, methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture including, among othercomponents, firmware and/or software executed on hardware. However, suchexamples are merely illustrative and should not be considered aslimiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of thesefirmware, hardware, and/or software components can be embodiedexclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively infirmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.Accordingly, while the following describes example systems, methods,apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture, the examples provided are notthe only way(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/orarticles of manufacture.

As provided in the embodiments discussed above, the present applicationenables a user to search for media content associated with media contentthe user is experiencing. In some embodiments, the search for mediacontent may be performed for any media content service rather than onlythe media content service through which the media content experienced bythe user is accessed.

In one aspect, a method is provided. The method involves while a firstmedia content is being rendered, receiving data indicating a selectionof an item corresponding to a metadata associated with the first mediacontent, and querying a network of media content servers for one or moresecond media content based on the corresponding metadata. Each mediacontent service in a plurality of media content services is associatedwith one or more media content servers in the network of media contentservers. The method further involves providing the one or more secondmedia content for display.

In another aspect, a system is provided. The system includes at leastone processor, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and programinstructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium. Theprogram instructions are executable by the at least one processor toperform functions including while a first media content is beingrendered, receiving data indicating a selection of an item correspondingto a metadata associated with the first media content, and querying anetwork of media content servers for one or more second media contentbased on the corresponding metadata. Each media content service in aplurality of media content services is associated with one or more mediacontent servers in the network of media content servers. The functionsfurther involve providing the one or more second media content fordisplay.

In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon is provided. The instructions are executableby a computing device to cause the computing device to perform functionsincluding while a first media content is being rendered, receiving dataindicating a selection of an item corresponding to a metadata associatedwith the first media content, and querying a network of media contentservers for one or more second media content based on the correspondingmetadata. Each media content service in a plurality of media contentservices is associated with one or more media content servers in thenetwork of media content servers. The functions further involveproviding the one or more second media content for display.

Additionally, references herein to “embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly andimplicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined withother embodiments.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrativeenvironments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, andother symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble theoperations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These processdescriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled inthe art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to othersskilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it isunderstood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details.In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, andcircuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than theforgoing description of embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible mediumsuch as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the softwareand/or firmware.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computing device comprising: at least oneprocessor; at least one tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedium comprising program instructions that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the computing device is configured to:after receiving an indication that a first track is being streamed froma first media service to one or more playback devices separate from thecomputing device, and while the one or more playback devices are playingthe first track, receive, via a device separate from the computingdevice, first metadata corresponding to the first track; display thefirst metadata corresponding to the first track in a graphical userinterface associated with the computing device; receive a selection ofthe first metadata via the graphical user interface; query one or moremedia services for content that has metadata features in common with thefirst metadata; display second metadata associated with content that hasmetadata features in common with the first metadata in the graphicaluser interface, wherein the second metadata is received from the one ormore media services in response to the query based on the firstmetadata; and cause execution of one or more commands related to asecond track corresponding to the second metadata based on a selectionof the second metadata via the graphical user interface.
 2. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the program instructions that areexecutable by the at least one processor such that the computing deviceis configured to cause execution of one or more commands related to asecond track corresponding to the second metadata based on a selectionof the second metadata via the graphical user interface comprisesprogram instructions that are executable by the at least one processorsuch that the computing device is configured to: cause the one or moreplayback devices to play the second track corresponding to the secondmetadata.
 3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the programinstructions that are executable by the at least one processor such thatthe computing device is configured to cause execution of one or morecommands related to a second track corresponding to the second metadatabased on a selection of the second metadata via the graphical userinterface comprises program instructions that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the computing device is configured to: addthe second track corresponding to the second metadata to at least one of(i) a playlist or (ii) a digital repository.
 4. The computing device ofclaim 1, wherein the program instructions that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the computing device is configured toquery one or more media services based on the selection of the firstmetadata via the graphical user interface comprises program instructionsthat are executable by the at least one processor such that thecomputing device is configured to: query the first media service basedon a selection of the first metadata via the graphical user interface.5. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the program instructionsthat are executable by the at least one processor such that thecomputing device is configured to query one or more media services basedon the selection of the first metadata via the graphical user interfacecomprises program instructions that are executable by the at least oneprocessor such that the computing device is configured to: query asecond media service based on the selection of the first metadata viathe graphical user interface, wherein the second media service isdifferent than the first media service.
 6. The computing device of claim1, wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at leastone processor such that the computing device is configured to query oneor more media services based on the selection of the first metadata viathe graphical user interface comprises program instructions that areexecutable by the at least one processor such that the computing deviceis configured to: query the first media service and a second mediaservice based on the selection of the first metadata via the graphicaluser interface.
 7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the programinstructions that are executable by the at least one processor such thatthe computing device is configured to display second metadata associatedwith the first metadata in the graphical user interface comprisesprogram instructions that are executable by the at least one processorsuch that the computing device is configured to: display a set ofmetadata associated with the first metadata in the graphical userinterface, wherein the set of metadata comprises the second metadata andat least third metadata, wherein the second metadata corresponds to asecond track available from at least one of the one or more mediaservices, and wherein the third metadata corresponds to a third trackavailable from at least one of the one or more media services.
 8. Thecomputing device of claim 7, wherein the program instructions that areexecutable by the at least one processor such that the computing deviceis configured to display the set of metadata associated with the firstmetadata in the graphical user interface comprises program instructionsthat are executable by the at least one processor such that thecomputing device is configured to: display the second metadata and thethird metadata in a ranked order based on one or more relevancy metrics.9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the one or more relevancymetrics comprise one or more of (i) bit rate, (ii) quality level, (iii)popularity, or (iv) whether a user associated with the computing devicehas a user account with the media service from which the trackcorresponding to the metadata is available.
 10. The computing device ofclaim 1, wherein the first metadata is indicative of one or more of anartist name associated with the first track, a title of the first track,an album name associated with the first track, a genre of the firsttrack, or a year of release of the first track, and wherein the programinstructions that are executable by the at least one processor such thatthe computing device is configured to query one or more media servicesbased on the selection of the first metadata via the graphical userinterface comprises program instructions that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the computing device is configured to:query the one or more media services for one or more tracks having oneor more of the same artist name, track title, album name, genre, or yearof release as the artist name, track title, album name, genre, or yearof release of the first track.
 11. Tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media comprising program instructions that areexecutable by at least one processor such that a computing device isconfigured to perform functions comprising: after receiving anindication that a first track is being streamed from a first mediaservice to one or more playback devices separate from the computingdevice, and while the one or more playback devices are playing the firsttrack, receiving, via a device separate from the computing device, firstmetadata corresponding to the first track; displaying first metadatacorresponding to the first track in a graphical user interfaceassociated with the computing device; receiving a selection of the firstmetadata via the graphical user interface; querying one or more mediaservices for content that has metadata features in common with the firstmetadata; displaying second metadata associated with content that hasmetadata features in common with the first metadata in the graphicaluser interface, wherein the second metadata is received from the one ormore media services in response to the query based on the firstmetadata; and causing execution of one or more commands related to asecond track corresponding to the second metadata based on a selectionof the second metadata via the graphical user interface.
 12. Thetangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, whereincausing execution of one or more commands related to a second trackcorresponding to the second metadata based on a selection of the secondmetadata via the graphical user interface comprises: causing the one ormore playback devices to play the second track corresponding to thesecond metadata.
 13. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 11, wherein causing execution of one or more commandsrelated to a second track corresponding to the second metadata based ona selection of the second metadata via the graphical user interface:adding the second track corresponding to the second metadata to at leastone of (i) a playlist or (ii) a digital repository.
 14. The tangible,non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein querying oneor more media services based on a selection of the first metadata viathe graphical user interface comprises: querying the first media servicebased on a selection of the first metadata via the graphical userinterface.
 15. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media ofclaim 11, wherein querying one or more media services based on aselection of the first metadata via the graphical user interfacecomprises: querying a second media service based on the selection of thefirst metadata via the graphical user interface, wherein the secondmedia service is different than the first media service.
 16. Thetangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, whereinquerying one or more media services based on a selection of the firstmetadata via the graphical user interface comprises: querying the firstmedia service and a second media service based on the selection of thefirst metadata via the graphical user interface.
 17. The tangible,non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11, wherein displayingsecond metadata associated with the first metadata in the graphical userinterface, wherein the second metadata is received from the one or moremedia services in response to the query based on the first metadatacomprises: displaying a set of metadata associated with the firstmetadata in the graphical user interface, wherein the set of metadatacomprises the second metadata and at least third metadata, wherein thesecond metadata corresponds to a second track available from at leastone of the one or more media services, and wherein the third metadatacorresponds to a third track available from at least one of the one ormore media services.
 18. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 17, wherein displaying second metadata associated withthe first metadata in the graphical user interface, wherein the secondmetadata is received from the one or more media services in response tothe query based on the first metadata comprises: displaying the secondmetadata and the third metadata in a ranked order based on one or morerelevancy metrics.
 19. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 18, wherein the one or more relevancy metrics compriseone or more of (i) bit rate, (ii) quality level, (iii) popularity, or(iv) whether a user associated with the computing device has a useraccount with the media service from which the track corresponding to themetadata is available.
 20. The tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media of claim 11, wherein the first metadata isindicative of one or more of an artist name associated with the firsttrack, a title of the first track, an album name associated with thefirst track, a genre of the first track, or a year of release of thefirst track, and wherein querying one or more media services based on aselection of the first metadata via the graphical user interfacecomprises: querying the one or more media services for one or moretracks having one or more of the same artist name, track title, albumname, genre, or year of release as the artist name, track title, albumname, genre, or year of release of the first track.